Spending Time With… Lucinda Rhodes-Thakrar ( @LucindaRhodes )

With over 35 screen credits to her name in the acting world (and countless more in the producing arena) I’ve always been a fan of Lucinda Rhodes-Thakrar having first seen her in the 2010 film Dead Cert, and then she seemed to pop up everywhere in my DVD collection with roles of various sizes in such films as GBH (aka Riot), The Fall Of The Essex Boys, Serial Kaller, and K-Shop to name just a few films that Lucinda appears in. But recently Lucinda has been working 28 hours a day (no that wasn’t a typo…I did mean 28 hours a day) in the world of film production giving film fans like me Curse Of The Witching Tree Directed by James Crow), Hooligan Legacy and Undercover Hooligan (both directed by Nicholas Winter)Thankfully for me. Lucinda took some time out to answer the questions that are so popular in my ‘Spending Time With…’ series. Here are her answers.

Is there a book that you have reread more than any other?

Luc- I used to love reading as a young adult and still do. Books that I have enjoyed over again are Scar Tissue by Larry Sloman, it is an autobiography about Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Antony Kiedis. I knew nothing about the band but was given the book by a friend. It was gripping. My other favourite books are What’s it all about and From Elephant to Hollywood, both by Michael Caine

Favourite Childhood TV show growing up?

Wow that’s a hard one. There were so many. I loved all the American Saturday and Sunday morning shows like Saved by the bell and Sweet Valley High but who didn’t love Fresh Prince of Bel Air….

What’s the most ‘starstruck’ you have been?

When I met Michael Caine and also when I worked with Ken Russell

What’s your most memorable ‘fan’ encounter?

Luc- Ha ha it was in Kingston Surrey, we had just finished filming and went shopping. All of a sudden the shopping centre became extremely busy and the security guards had to escort us everywhere. I must say, there were a few of us and we were an odd bunch, it was 2 of us from the show, a footballer and a pop star. We were shooting Harry and Cosh for channel 5 at the time.

What was one of the most memorable films you saw as a child?

The Goonies!!!!!

What is one of the best pieces of advice you can remember being given?

Remain humble. Be nice to people on the way up, because you’ll meet them again on the way down. That was from Michael Beamont my drama coach from Sylvia Youngs.

When it comes to watching films? Physical Media or Digital?

Our production office has a huge DVD wall and I love it. I could sit and look at that wall for hours. Now the majority of people watch films online with easy access to all the latest releases on many different platforms, especially with Netflix and Amazon. More films are being released via digital platforms rather than on DVD. It will be interesting to watch how the market changes over the next 5-10 years. You can’t beat a night out at the cinema though.

What is one of your favourite current TV shows? (or let’s say in the past 10 years)

I am currently watching The People V Oj Simpson. I must have seen Lost over and over again, I thought it was a great series.

Are you a video gamer? If so, what’s your console of choice?

– I have never played a game in my life!

Do you read reviews of the films you have produced?

Yes I do read the reviews. It’s interesting to get people’s feedback. Whether I agree with them or not is another story.

If you had to make a bucket list of people you’d love to work with, tell me one name who would be on it?

Apart from my husband Jeet Thakrar? I’d have to say Ian McShane as an actor and Ron Howard as a director.

What is one of your most favourite locations you have filmed in?

Hands down South Africa! It was amazing, we shot a tv show there for 2 years called Cavegirl. I was in my early twenties and it was an experience. In the UK it would be 3 Mills, purely because it’s near my family home.

What film always makes you laugh?

Anchorman

What film do you love that you feel most people might not be aware of?

it’s a World War 2 films called Shining through. Maybe if I watched it now I wouldn’t like it as much. I remember being introduced to it and thinking it was great.

What is the longest day that you’ve ever had on set?

We shot for 19 hours one day.

Do you have any ‘props or keepsakes from your films?

We have all the posters and DVDs of course

Is there one person who you feel has made you who you are today?

My parents, they are still both in the industry. It was a great environment to grow up in and we all live and breathe the business. Its nice to have a family that understands it inside out.

What is your proudest achievement?

Making films with my husband and producing partner Jeet Thakrar. I couldn’t think of anyone better to work with. When we signed our first film deal as a partnership, it was a great feeling.

How many movies do you think you watch a year?

On average I watch 3 films a week.

Many thanks to Lucinda for taking the time to answer the ‘Spending Time With…’ questions. I loved the answers. Hope you all did too.

If youd like to participate in the ‘Spending Time With…’ series then please get in touch with me via Twitter ( @frompage2screen ) or email at frompage2screen@gmail.com